Baltimore Farmers’ Market Opens In April For 2011

Related Tags:

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — It’s one of the most popular places to go in Baltimore on Sunday. The farmers’ market under the JFX is ready to kick off another season this weekend.

Ron Matz reports this year’s start is earlier than ever.

In its 34th year, the Baltimore Farmers’ Market is more popular than ever.

“The people that operate the market are very friendly and very helpful. The prices are great, too, so that doesn’t hurt,” said Paul Bryant, shopper.

Shoppers have been asking for an earlier opening, so this year the market under the JFX will open on Sunday. It’s the first April opening ever.

“This is a change for the Baltimore Farmers’ Market to open the first Sunday in April. We’re very excited. We won’t be at full capacity, but we will have lots of farmers and lots of festivities going on. We will open at 7 a.m. We will have the Baltimore Islanders Steel Drum Band, so it will be a festive atmosphere,” said Tracy Baskerville, Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts. “We’ve actually had shoppers ask for the earlier opening, so we did a survey of farmers, asking them if we opened in April would it be OK. Would you have time to plant things for April? The farmers said ‘Great, that would be wonderful.'”

Fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers and food bring thousands to the market every Sunday.

“I like melons, vegetables and peppers. I think it’s a wonderful idea. People save a lot of money going to the farmers’ market,” said Karen Berry, shopper.

“We will have things like strawberries, asparagus and greens. We’re trying to hit things we might not have had before at the farmers’ market,” said Baskerville.

For the first time there will be some road closures near the market. Parts of Holliday and Hillen Streets will be shut down.

“Starting at 5 a.m. on Sundays, Hillen and Holliday Streets will be temporarily closed. We’ve added a crafts bazaar the last couple years. To merge the two and make it easier for people to cross back and forth, we’ve closed the streets. This will make it a lot safer,” said Baskerville.

Streets are sure to be crowded on Sunday.

The Baltimore Farmers’ Market opens at 7 a.m. Sunday. It will be open every Sunday through Dec. 18.